it is that extension, beyond six months, that we are talking about with the fiscal cliff talks. host: that is what might be cut? guest: that is what automatically expires. president obama said as part of the deal i want to make, those benefits should continue. republicans have not taken a firm stand, but we have seen in the past that obama has had it a deal on taxes to get the benefits extended. host: what specific benefits to these programs provide? guest: usually some kind of cash benefit, help you search for a job. it is about $300 per week. sometimes it varies by state. host: and how are the programs funded? guest: by payroll taxes. you pay payroll taxes to the state and federal government. it does to a federal trust, and state administers the program and the money goes to the unemployed. host: talk about qualification for unemployment insurance. what do people have to me to apply, how are they selected? at guest: generally, you have to have a year of earnings over a certain threshold and you have to be let go from a job. the way the structure works, it is hard to say if you